~~Eight~~
Numair brushed his black hair out of his eyes and sat down on his bed, unfolding the parchment. It was a note from one of his informants in the city:
What you say is true. The Night Lion is more than it seems. Meet me
tomorrow at sunset by the entrance of the Crawling Griffin and you
will find out all you need to know.
Numair stared at the sheet of parchment for a little while longer, memorizing the time and place, before murmuring a quick incantation which set fire to the paper and obliterated it completely.
"Sunset, by the entrance of the Crawling Griffin," he muttered, gazing off at a painting on his wall. Ironically enough, the colored oils on the canvas showed an image of a roaring lion, prowling the nighttime savannas of some far away land.
Rising from the bed, Numair walked to his armoire and flung the doors open, hurriedly pawing through the clothes inside. He had been summoned to appear before the emperor at noon today, and he intended to keep his disguise as Sashad Mombisu IV for as long as he could. The real Sashad, of course, had no idea of what was happening with his physical form and was safely in his own country.
Pulling out a plum colored under-tunic and a red sash that matched his disguise's hair, Numair changed his clothes as quickly as he could and, before he had finished securing his sash, his body had taken on the appearance of Sashad again, the almost black skin glistening like some undiscovered jewel.
Removing the spell that surrounded his chambers and thrusting the doors to his room open, "Sashad" stepped out into the hallway. He had business to attend to before he saw Kaddar. Urgent business. Namely, the befriending of Daine while in his new form. He had no intention of letting her get hurt, and if she became suspicious of him, well... Numair was willing to take that risk.
~~~~
Daine settled herself on the bench in the aviary with a light blush still staining her cheeks. She couldn't believe that Kaddar had been naked in his bed and had still let her come in and carry on a conversation with him. "Horse Lords, I can't imagine what I would do if he did that to me." She whispered.
Wing-sister, what's happened? The birds swirled around her head, the many voices combining into this one query. She looked up and said, Nothing that will bother you, brothers and sisters. Is there anything you need? She quickly turned the subject of their exchange away from her thoughts.
We're happy here; the winged-foot man treats us well. The wing-sister he has here is also very kind to us.
Good, Daine said, and was then lost in her thoughts. She startled out of her reverie when a deep voice spoke to her.
~~~~
Numair found Daine where he had expected her to be, in the aviary. She looked to be in deep thought, and he approached her carefully, not wanting to frighten her. She'd never met Sashad before.
"Pardon me, but are you Veralidaine Sarrasri, the Wildmage of Tortall?" It felt strange asking this question because he already knew the answer, but Sashad wouldn't.
Daine looked up at him, blue-gray eyes wide with surprise. "Uh... yes, I am. You are... the honorable Mombisu, right?"
Numair smiled, knowing the striking contrast his white teeth made against his mahogany skin. "That I am; you may call me Sashad." He settled next to her and asked, "May I call you Daine?"
"Of course, Sashad." She smiled hesitantly. Because he had known her for so long, Numair could tell that she was nervous. He knew the real Sashad wouldn't have been able to, so he continued on as if they were old friends. He'd met the honorable Mombisu, and knew that this was just the thing the man would do in order to make a new acquaintance comfortable.
"I was wondering if you would tell me something."
"Well, of course I can tell you *something*, it depends on what the something is." Daine was trying to make herself comfortable too, and Numair smiled through Sashad's mouth.
"Are you trying to make this difficult for me?" He chuckled, and she smiled as well.
"No, simply stating facts, your honor."
"Oh please, what did I tell you about that title? Anyway, what I wanted to ask was this:"
~~~~
"What does a pine tree look like?"
Daine was silent for a moment. She couldn't believe Sashad had just asked her that. Daine was sure a man of his station in his country would have seen a pine tree by the time he got to be Sashad's age.
"That's the something?" She asked, still incredulous.
"Yes," Sashad said, watching her face somberly for a moment. Then, he burst out laughing. "Oh! If you could only see your face! I have seen a pine tree; I just wanted to... what is it? My Common, it is not *that* good... break the ice! That is it; I just wanted to break the ice."
"Oh!" Daine said, understanding coming over her. Then, she joined in his merriment. "Well, I swallowed that one. Is that the only reason you came here, to play with my mind?"
"Of course not! I came to make your acquaintance. You see, since you are so important to the King Jonathan, I thought that it would be advantageous to Umbaqui if you and I were friends."
He smiled and she saw the honesty of his statements written on his face. There was something else though, something she couldn't place.
"I feel as if I already know you... have I ever met anyone related to you?"
~~~~
Numair stiffened slightly. He was being too much like himself! As hard as it was for him to skip the contractions he always used, such as can't or you're, or to appear unfamiliar with Jonathan, she had still seen through the act. He had to become even more convincing.
"I do not believe so. It is only a [lelan-pu], nothing to worry about."
"Leelen- poo? What's that?" Daine asked, his familiarity forgotten. Numair silently congratulated himself on knowing some Baqtui, the language spoken in Umbaqui.
"[Lelan-pu], it means, as the Gaulerians say, deja-vu. The sense of doing something over again; I believe that is what you are experiencing."
"Oh!" Daine exclaimed, seeming distracted by the new tongue. Numair seized his chance and stood up to leave.
"Well, it has been extremely pleasant speaking to you. I hope to see you around the palace?"
"Yes, of course. That'd be wonderful." Daine smiled and stood up, holding out a hand for a shake. Numair took it and gripped it firmly, powerfully pumping it up and down as his character would. He smiled again, working the contrasting colors to his advantage, and said, "I will hold you to that." Now though, he had a meeting with the emperor.
~~~~
Daine watched Sashad leave, his broad back straining the plum purple fabric that covered it. He was so familiar, not in looks, but in manner. In fact, he almost reminded her of... no, that'd be silly. Why would an Umbaquian remind her of *Numair*?
Well, he was friendly.
Daine turned and found herself face to face with what seemed to be a palace cat. The animal's cream-colored fur blew in an invisible breeze and its mismatched eyes, one emerald and one sapphire, regarded her intently.
Oh! Hello there, what's your name? Daine smiled; always ready to meet new People.
Sconosciuto. The cat didn't say anything else.
Well, Sconosciuto, that's a beautiful name. Does it mean anything?
Nothing you need to know. I'm here because you need help, dumpling.
Help? With what?
You and that damn lion. He's going to throw off the Balance of Worlds if he keeps this up.
Balance of Worlds...? Daine said, confused. She'd never heard of that before, and she sensed that this cat was much more than a mere cat.
It's exactly what it sounds like. The worlds have balance, and if he eats up one more country at the rate he's been going, it's going to be off.
Daine stared at the cat, who stared back, unfazed. All right Sconosciuto, she said, before this goes any farther, who *are* you really?
Tsk, I'd think you'd be able to recognize a lesser God by now, what with being a demi-goddess yourself, dumpling.
"You?" Daine burst out, speaking aloud in her surprise. She hadn't sensed anything around Sconosciuto that would have indicated a God.
The cat preened. Well *obviously*. I'm pretty enough, aren't I? Anyway, what I came to say is: That lion is trouble. Don't you believe a single word that falls from his poisoned tongue, you understand me?
I – yes, but –
No buts! Silly girl, I'm a goddess, I know these things. The cat turned to go, her tail held high, but then she turned back and said, You can call me Connie.
~~~~
Woo! This is fun! Okay, I have to warn you guys that updates will not be as frequent when school starts up again. It was easy to type for a few hours during Break, but what with homework and all, I hope this is enough to tide you over for a while! On to review responses! (Oh! And Sconosciuto means "unknown" in Italian. Babelfish.com is about the most helpful thing ever.)
Kore Yan – I am continuing! Hoorah! I'm so proud of myself, I hope you like this chapter! I don't know if I want to make Donatello's interest romantic though, what do you think of a good male/female friendship?
Beatniky – It was funny! I read it afterwards though, and was like, what was I *thinking*?!??!?!?!?!?! Still, I guess the whole "HORSE LORDS, HE'S NAKED" factor worked out!!! ;-)p And I think I'm writing pretty damn fast, eh guys? YOU KNOW I AM, don't deny it. *phew,* I mean, I've put out two chapters in the last three days and three in the last week. My muse is getting tired! Anyway, I've got to take out the immortals books again, I'm starting to lose Daine's and Kaddar's characters.
PsychoLioness13 – Here is more! Thanks for asking so nicely! Heheheheheheheee. *jumps around*
Fire Daughter – Yay! It's so nice that all these people like my story! Thank you for reviewing! I'm thinking more along the respect angle for Donatello, because he doesn't seem like her type. I think they could have a good friendship though.
ellabelle1 – Yay! I got ANOTHER new chapter up! I'm cranking these babies out, and it's all because of you guys! THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING AGAIN! It really makes me feel good. Anyway, it was no problem to take your advice, because you were right! Please, point stuff like that out to me as much as you like, because I am apt to miss it.
~k~ – I shall e-mail you! In fact, that is the next thing I am doing...
Numair brushed his black hair out of his eyes and sat down on his bed, unfolding the parchment. It was a note from one of his informants in the city:
What you say is true. The Night Lion is more than it seems. Meet me
tomorrow at sunset by the entrance of the Crawling Griffin and you
will find out all you need to know.
Numair stared at the sheet of parchment for a little while longer, memorizing the time and place, before murmuring a quick incantation which set fire to the paper and obliterated it completely.
"Sunset, by the entrance of the Crawling Griffin," he muttered, gazing off at a painting on his wall. Ironically enough, the colored oils on the canvas showed an image of a roaring lion, prowling the nighttime savannas of some far away land.
Rising from the bed, Numair walked to his armoire and flung the doors open, hurriedly pawing through the clothes inside. He had been summoned to appear before the emperor at noon today, and he intended to keep his disguise as Sashad Mombisu IV for as long as he could. The real Sashad, of course, had no idea of what was happening with his physical form and was safely in his own country.
Pulling out a plum colored under-tunic and a red sash that matched his disguise's hair, Numair changed his clothes as quickly as he could and, before he had finished securing his sash, his body had taken on the appearance of Sashad again, the almost black skin glistening like some undiscovered jewel.
Removing the spell that surrounded his chambers and thrusting the doors to his room open, "Sashad" stepped out into the hallway. He had business to attend to before he saw Kaddar. Urgent business. Namely, the befriending of Daine while in his new form. He had no intention of letting her get hurt, and if she became suspicious of him, well... Numair was willing to take that risk.
~~~~
Daine settled herself on the bench in the aviary with a light blush still staining her cheeks. She couldn't believe that Kaddar had been naked in his bed and had still let her come in and carry on a conversation with him. "Horse Lords, I can't imagine what I would do if he did that to me." She whispered.
Wing-sister, what's happened? The birds swirled around her head, the many voices combining into this one query. She looked up and said, Nothing that will bother you, brothers and sisters. Is there anything you need? She quickly turned the subject of their exchange away from her thoughts.
We're happy here; the winged-foot man treats us well. The wing-sister he has here is also very kind to us.
Good, Daine said, and was then lost in her thoughts. She startled out of her reverie when a deep voice spoke to her.
~~~~
Numair found Daine where he had expected her to be, in the aviary. She looked to be in deep thought, and he approached her carefully, not wanting to frighten her. She'd never met Sashad before.
"Pardon me, but are you Veralidaine Sarrasri, the Wildmage of Tortall?" It felt strange asking this question because he already knew the answer, but Sashad wouldn't.
Daine looked up at him, blue-gray eyes wide with surprise. "Uh... yes, I am. You are... the honorable Mombisu, right?"
Numair smiled, knowing the striking contrast his white teeth made against his mahogany skin. "That I am; you may call me Sashad." He settled next to her and asked, "May I call you Daine?"
"Of course, Sashad." She smiled hesitantly. Because he had known her for so long, Numair could tell that she was nervous. He knew the real Sashad wouldn't have been able to, so he continued on as if they were old friends. He'd met the honorable Mombisu, and knew that this was just the thing the man would do in order to make a new acquaintance comfortable.
"I was wondering if you would tell me something."
"Well, of course I can tell you *something*, it depends on what the something is." Daine was trying to make herself comfortable too, and Numair smiled through Sashad's mouth.
"Are you trying to make this difficult for me?" He chuckled, and she smiled as well.
"No, simply stating facts, your honor."
"Oh please, what did I tell you about that title? Anyway, what I wanted to ask was this:"
~~~~
"What does a pine tree look like?"
Daine was silent for a moment. She couldn't believe Sashad had just asked her that. Daine was sure a man of his station in his country would have seen a pine tree by the time he got to be Sashad's age.
"That's the something?" She asked, still incredulous.
"Yes," Sashad said, watching her face somberly for a moment. Then, he burst out laughing. "Oh! If you could only see your face! I have seen a pine tree; I just wanted to... what is it? My Common, it is not *that* good... break the ice! That is it; I just wanted to break the ice."
"Oh!" Daine said, understanding coming over her. Then, she joined in his merriment. "Well, I swallowed that one. Is that the only reason you came here, to play with my mind?"
"Of course not! I came to make your acquaintance. You see, since you are so important to the King Jonathan, I thought that it would be advantageous to Umbaqui if you and I were friends."
He smiled and she saw the honesty of his statements written on his face. There was something else though, something she couldn't place.
"I feel as if I already know you... have I ever met anyone related to you?"
~~~~
Numair stiffened slightly. He was being too much like himself! As hard as it was for him to skip the contractions he always used, such as can't or you're, or to appear unfamiliar with Jonathan, she had still seen through the act. He had to become even more convincing.
"I do not believe so. It is only a [lelan-pu], nothing to worry about."
"Leelen- poo? What's that?" Daine asked, his familiarity forgotten. Numair silently congratulated himself on knowing some Baqtui, the language spoken in Umbaqui.
"[Lelan-pu], it means, as the Gaulerians say, deja-vu. The sense of doing something over again; I believe that is what you are experiencing."
"Oh!" Daine exclaimed, seeming distracted by the new tongue. Numair seized his chance and stood up to leave.
"Well, it has been extremely pleasant speaking to you. I hope to see you around the palace?"
"Yes, of course. That'd be wonderful." Daine smiled and stood up, holding out a hand for a shake. Numair took it and gripped it firmly, powerfully pumping it up and down as his character would. He smiled again, working the contrasting colors to his advantage, and said, "I will hold you to that." Now though, he had a meeting with the emperor.
~~~~
Daine watched Sashad leave, his broad back straining the plum purple fabric that covered it. He was so familiar, not in looks, but in manner. In fact, he almost reminded her of... no, that'd be silly. Why would an Umbaquian remind her of *Numair*?
Well, he was friendly.
Daine turned and found herself face to face with what seemed to be a palace cat. The animal's cream-colored fur blew in an invisible breeze and its mismatched eyes, one emerald and one sapphire, regarded her intently.
Oh! Hello there, what's your name? Daine smiled; always ready to meet new People.
Sconosciuto. The cat didn't say anything else.
Well, Sconosciuto, that's a beautiful name. Does it mean anything?
Nothing you need to know. I'm here because you need help, dumpling.
Help? With what?
You and that damn lion. He's going to throw off the Balance of Worlds if he keeps this up.
Balance of Worlds...? Daine said, confused. She'd never heard of that before, and she sensed that this cat was much more than a mere cat.
It's exactly what it sounds like. The worlds have balance, and if he eats up one more country at the rate he's been going, it's going to be off.
Daine stared at the cat, who stared back, unfazed. All right Sconosciuto, she said, before this goes any farther, who *are* you really?
Tsk, I'd think you'd be able to recognize a lesser God by now, what with being a demi-goddess yourself, dumpling.
"You?" Daine burst out, speaking aloud in her surprise. She hadn't sensed anything around Sconosciuto that would have indicated a God.
The cat preened. Well *obviously*. I'm pretty enough, aren't I? Anyway, what I came to say is: That lion is trouble. Don't you believe a single word that falls from his poisoned tongue, you understand me?
I – yes, but –
No buts! Silly girl, I'm a goddess, I know these things. The cat turned to go, her tail held high, but then she turned back and said, You can call me Connie.
~~~~
Woo! This is fun! Okay, I have to warn you guys that updates will not be as frequent when school starts up again. It was easy to type for a few hours during Break, but what with homework and all, I hope this is enough to tide you over for a while! On to review responses! (Oh! And Sconosciuto means "unknown" in Italian. Babelfish.com is about the most helpful thing ever.)
Kore Yan – I am continuing! Hoorah! I'm so proud of myself, I hope you like this chapter! I don't know if I want to make Donatello's interest romantic though, what do you think of a good male/female friendship?
Beatniky – It was funny! I read it afterwards though, and was like, what was I *thinking*?!??!?!?!?!?! Still, I guess the whole "HORSE LORDS, HE'S NAKED" factor worked out!!! ;-)p And I think I'm writing pretty damn fast, eh guys? YOU KNOW I AM, don't deny it. *phew,* I mean, I've put out two chapters in the last three days and three in the last week. My muse is getting tired! Anyway, I've got to take out the immortals books again, I'm starting to lose Daine's and Kaddar's characters.
PsychoLioness13 – Here is more! Thanks for asking so nicely! Heheheheheheheee. *jumps around*
Fire Daughter – Yay! It's so nice that all these people like my story! Thank you for reviewing! I'm thinking more along the respect angle for Donatello, because he doesn't seem like her type. I think they could have a good friendship though.
ellabelle1 – Yay! I got ANOTHER new chapter up! I'm cranking these babies out, and it's all because of you guys! THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING AGAIN! It really makes me feel good. Anyway, it was no problem to take your advice, because you were right! Please, point stuff like that out to me as much as you like, because I am apt to miss it.
~k~ – I shall e-mail you! In fact, that is the next thing I am doing...